Thank you for your interest in the newsletter for the Orange County Clerk-Recorder Department. We’ll be bringing you periodic updates on the latest news and information in the world of public records, vital records and personal privacy, as well as more about Orange County history.

The Clerk-Recorder Department worked closely with the Orange County District Attorney’s Office on an investigation that resulted in the conviction of a man from Long Beach who had stolen over $3.5 million dollars in an elaborate scheme. The scheme involved the recording of false property transfer deeds and then renting the properties to unsuspecting renters in Orange County. Authorities began investigating the man after the legal owner of one of the properties contacted police about unknown tenants in his home. “I would like to congratulate Orange County District Attorney Tony Rackauckas and his department on a job well done,” said Orange County Clerk-Recorder Hugh Nguyen. “Our office has been working closely with the District Attorney’s Real Estate Fraud Unit to find ways to prevent these crimes from happening in the future.” For more information about protecting yourself from real estate fraud, visit:
http://ocrecorder.com/services/documents/fraud .

Anyone interested in obtaining a passport can now make an appointment online. Passport applications can be filled out online in advance so most of the work is done before driving to the office. Applications are accepted at the department’s office at the Old County Courthouse in Santa Ana. As an added convenience, photos are available on the spot for $15. The link for passport applications and appointments is at http://cr.ocgov.com/ePassport3/ePassport

Ashley Allen and Veronica Moreno of Administrative Support hosted a booth on behalf of the Clerk-Recorder Department at the Hyatt Regency Resort and Spa in Huntington Beach this past July.
They were there to promote the wedding services and facilities available at the department to the public. They also answered questions from the public ranging from how to obtain a marriage license to how to obtain a passport for the postnuptial honeymoon.
The expo was attended by approximately 500 people.

The Clerk-Recorder Department participated in this year’s Asian-American Business Expo which was held at the Embassy Suites Hotel in the City of Garden Grove this past October. The department sent representatives to highlight the services offered by the Clerk-Recorder Department to businesses in Orange County. The department informed expo attendees of the requirements regarding the filing of Fictitious Business Names as well as promoted other services offered by the department. Attendees were also provided information regarding the department’s three main office locations and the services available at each location. “It is important to reach out to all the business communities that we serve,” said Clerk-Recorder Hugh Nguyen. “Expos like these give us an opportunity to reach out to these communities and inform them of all the services available to them.” This year approximately 1,000 people attended the business expo.

The Orange County Clerk-Recorder Department hosted Hands Together Pre-school this past Halloween and treated the children to some good old-fashion trick-or-treating. The children donned their Halloween outfits and trick-or-treated throughout the Clerk-Recorder Department’s offices. Clerk-Recorder employees volunteered their time and candy and enjoyed the event as much as the children did. This was a great and fun opportunity for the Clerk-Recorder Department to reach out to the local community. Hands Together is a public charity group whose goal is to promote academic excellence among preschoolers and prepare them for elementary school.

Special Saturday hours continued to draw hundreds of customers this Fall to the Clerk-Recorder Department’s office at the Old County Courthouse in Santa Ana and at both branch offices in
Fullerton and Laguna Hills. Several customers have also taken advantage of our passport services available at the Old County Courthouse during these special hours. The next scheduled Saturday office opening is December 14 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Couples took advantage of a once-in-a-century opportunity to marry their significant other this past November 12, 2013. The department issued a total of 107 licenses and performed 103 civil wedding ceremonies on this special Tuesday. Those numbers represent more than double the number of ceremonies performed on a typical Tuesday. “We were prepared and my staff did a great job to provide a memorable day for couples,” Clerk-Recorder Hugh Nguyen said. “These special dates only come around once in a century.” The ceremonies were performed at the Old County Courthouse in Santa Ana and at the department’s branch offices in Fullerton and Laguna Hills.

Left: Clerk-Recorder Hugh Nguyen pictured with Christina Zepeda and Roberto Jacinto who were one of the 103 couples who got married on 11-12-13.

What is the best part of your job? Co-workers and customers in general.

Favorite book? Any romantic book or novel.

Favorite movie? “Pretty Woman”

Please tell us a bit about yourself, where you live, about your family. Anything that may surprise us. I’m married and have no children. I’m originally from North Carolina. I always dreamt of being a dancer and also of being a social worker.

How long have you been with the Clerk-Recorder? I’ve been with the Clerk-Recorder Department since December 2011.

What is the best part of your job? The best part of my job was being able to assist the customers who really needed help. I believe that our value as people is measured by the way we treat the people who really need our help and support.

Favorite book? “The Lincoln Lawyer Series” by Michael Connelly. I also like John Grisham’s books.

Favorite movie? “Gladiator”

Please tell us a bit about yourself, where you live, about your family. Anything that may surprise us. I was born in Romania and moved to the U.S.A. about nine years ago. The first job I got in the U.S. was at Six Flags Magic Mountain despite the fact that I’m actually scared of roller coasters.

How long have you been with the Clerk-Recorder? I have been with the Clerk-Recorder Department for 11 years.

What is the best part of your job? I like scanning, quality control and indexing property documents and vital records.

Favorite book? The Bible and “The Peter Principle”

Favorite movie? “Forrest Gump”

Please tell us a bit about yourself, where you live, about your family. Anything that may surprise us. I taught briefly at the college level. I have been happily married for the past 34 years and have two sons and two daughters who live with me and my wife in Brea. I am blessed with a wonderful grandson and granddaughter.

How long have you been with the Clerk-Recorder? I have been with the Clerk-Recorder Department for 10 years.

What is the best part of your job? I love finding, collecting and preserving the County’s historical records. Mostly, I like helping people navigate through those records to find answers to their questions or to help solve their problems. I enjoy the challenge of thinking on my feet.

How long have you been with the Clerk-Recorder? I have been with the Clerk-Recorder Department for a little over one year.

What is the best part of your job? The best part about my job is helping the customers.

Favorite book? “The Notebook”

Favorite movie? “The Notebook” - the movie.

Please tell us a bit about yourself, where you live, about your family. Anything that may surprise us.
I am married and have two children. I live in Colton. I spend most of my time with my kids who participate in
sports - they play soccer. As a family, we all love to help others.